Pope Francis bestows sainthood on Blessed Junipero Serra on Wednesday, September 23, 2015.
What exactly is Canonization? And who is the Catholic Church’s newest saint?
More than 1.9 million Catholic school students from kindergarten to 12th grade now can answer those questions after they watch the National Catholic Educational Association’s (NCEA) new classroom resource video:
The canonization of Blessed Junipero Serra is the sixth canonization of a saint this year and the 22nd during the pontificate of Pope Francis.
“We are honored to offer our Catholic school teachers and students an insider’s look at this holy and historic ceremony,” said Brother Robert Bimonte, president of NCEA. “In fact, we hope this video will be viewed and discussed in every one of our 6,500 Catholic schools nationwide. And we are most grateful to Monsignor Walter Rossi, rector of the National Shrine, for his insightful explanation of the canonization process.”
The terms Servant of God, Venerable, Blessed and Saint are springboards for further classroom discussion and research. And certainly an in-depth look at the history of the Basilica is just another one of the opportunities for faith-based discussions this video offers.
This historic visit of Pope Francis marks many firsts, including the first papal address to Congress and the first-ever canonization to take place on American soil. This special Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Francis will finalize the long and arduous undertaking of proof that Blessed Junipero Serra, an 18th century Franciscan missionary proposed for canonization, lived and died in such an exemplary and holy way that he is worthy to be recognized as a saint. The Church’s official recognition of sanctity implies that the person(s) are now in heavenly glory, that they may be publicly invoked and mentioned officially in the liturgy of the Church, most especially in the Litany of the Saints.
What is the Litany of Saints? Extra credit to the student that can answer that question!
